Nine Things That Your Parent Taught You About Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

machine espresso (sell) employs precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to make the perfect cup of coffee. But how exactly does it work?

Espresso is made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee but the major difference is in the pressure.

The Head of the Group

The group head is the portafilter you place in the espresso maker when making it. It is responsible for dispersing water into the portafilter before controlling the pressure of the resulting extraction. There are several different types of group heads each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Some are designed for stability of temperature while others are designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are built to control the lever. There are also some that come with a range of features, such as the E61, which is considered the standard choice for many baristas for its ability to offer multiple perks in a single package.

As you can see from the image above the group head has a number of notches. You can place your portafilter inside these notches, and then twist the head to lock it. A gasket made of rubber is placed inside the notches to help create a seal when you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head permit a precise position of the portafilter which is necessary for an even extraction.

The group head does not just allow the portafilter to be inserted easily but also maintains the temperature at a constant level. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew pan and around the portafilter, ensuring that it is always at the right temperature to extract. This is important, as even a few degrees can make the difference between a good and excellent espresso coffee machines.

The Pump

Unlike manual piston machines, which use a lever to pressurize water, rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to deliver the nine atmospheric bars of pressure that are required to extract espresso. This pressure is built up by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee espresso machines.

Pumps tend to be less expensive than piston-driven machines, and tend to last longer, although both types of machines can be damaged by excessive use and inadequate cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, which can raise the cost of even the simpler models.

Certain espresso machines eliminate the pump completely and make use of steam pressure to make espresso. This can result in over-extraction because the boiler that makes steam also causes the water to boil. Additionally these machines are often required to rebuild their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.

Many espresso machines make use of either a rotary or vibration pump, which is a vibration model using a rotating disc to create the pressure, and the rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both machines can produce excellent espresso however rotary machines tend to be more stable, quieter and less likely to break down.

The Boiler

The boiler makes the water warm to the ideal temperature for extraction. The resulting steam reaches the portafilter which holds the ground espresso and is then funneled down into the cup. The steam generates enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This results in a whipped-up top of the espresso. This is a hallmark of a great espresso.

There are three kinds of espresso makers, and they differ in the type of pump they employ and how hot the espresso is. There are various ways that the brew may be controlled, as well as the size of the cup the machine can make.

The first espresso machines were steam-type. The earliest mini espresso machine machines were steam-type machines. The coffee tasted bitter and burned. This is why the Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern espresso machine.

The most commonly used espresso maker is a semi-automatic machine that has an electric pump. These are the images people have when they think of an espresso machine. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans yourself The pump, however, regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and mechanized quality.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines use filters to separate the grounds of coffee when they pass through the hot water. The filter is also a vital element of the machine's temperature control, as it helps prevent overheating.

A filter can also help with flavor, as it permits a longer flowering period. This lets the beans release their flavor and allows for better extraction.

However, it is important to remember that even a great filter could result in a bad cup of coffee as the quality of the beans and extraction is still crucial.

It's here that the magic happens. This is what makes espresso taste so good. The grouphead (also known as the brewhead) is where you put the portafilter, which is the thingy used to place the grounds of your coffee into when making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines use hot water that is heated inside an airtight container to create steam. The steam then pushes hot water into the coffee grounds under high pressure. They are less expensive and easier for the owner to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their ability to create the perfect brewing conditions since they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.

In recent years, compressed air-pump-driven espresso machines have been gaining popularity. They utilize an air compressor to push hot water into the grounds, and are far more portable than electric steam-driven machines.